Anyone who has stayed in a hotel will have benefitted from the services of a housekeeper. While they might leave a tip, they probably do not think about the long-term injuries that those who do the housekeeping can experience.
Here are some of the long-term injury risks for those who do this work.
Wrist injuries
Wrists are particularly susceptible to repetitive strain injuries (RSIs), and housekeepers do a lot with their wrists. They push mops and brooms across floors, scrub sinks, turn sheet corners and more. Most people do these things in their own homes and do not suffer RSIs because of it. Housekeepers, however, do it far more than the average person, placing extra strain on their wrists that could result in an RSI, especially if they have been in the job for years.
Back injuries
Bending down to make beds is part of being a housekeeper. Moving furniture and suitcases around is, too. All of this can take a toll on the back over the years. Even if you have not been in the job long, one stubborn desk that requires more force to move than you thought or one item of luggage that weighs more than it appeared to could be enough to start or aggravate a back injury. If you carry on working, your back won’t get a chance to recover and may worsen, rather than improve.
Chemical injuries
Hotels typically provide housekeepers with strong chemical cleaners to help ensure their rooms are spotless. While they may get the job done quicker than those that are made for home use, continued exposure can sometimes have harmful effects to the respiratory system and skin, as could one spillage.
If you have suffered an injury as a housekeeper, make sure that you know about your right to workers’ comp benefits to help with medical bills and lost wages.
